As the vibrant colors of summer fade and the colder months of fall and winter approach, many of us relish the holidays, cozy sweaters, Football Sundays (Go Eagles) and getting comfy on the couch with a nice coffee with the TV on.
However, for arthritis sufferers, the switch from summer to fall can bring about a different set of feelings – increased pain, stiffness and discomfort.
In this blog post, you can discover five effective and drug-free ways to ease arthritis pain.
However, for arthritis sufferers, the switch from summer to fall can bring about a different set of feelings – increased pain, stiffness and discomfort.
In this blog post, you can discover five effective and drug-free ways to ease arthritis pain.
First- How Can Colder Weather Trigger Arthritis Pain?
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many people with arthritis find themselves grappling with intensified pain and stiffness.
There are several reasons for this phenomenon:
There are several reasons for this phenomenon:
1. Cold Weather
Cold temperatures can cause joint fluid to thicken, making movement more difficult and increasing pain.
Additionally, cold weather can make muscles tense up, exacerbating the discomfort.
Cold temperatures can cause joint fluid to thicken, making movement more difficult and increasing pain.
Additionally, cold weather can make muscles tense up, exacerbating the discomfort.
2. Reduced Physical Activity
During the summer, warm weather often encourages people to be more active.
As the weather cools down, outdoor activities may decrease, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility.
During the summer, warm weather often encourages people to be more active.
As the weather cools down, outdoor activities may decrease, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility.
3. Weakening Immune System
The onset of colder months can also weaken the immune system, making arthritis sufferers more susceptible to illnesses and infections, which can further aggravate their condition.
The onset of colder months can also weaken the immune system, making arthritis sufferers more susceptible to illnesses and infections, which can further aggravate their condition.
5 Natural Ways to Relieve Arthritis Pain
Thankfully, there are several natural and effective ways to manage and ease arthritis pain. Here are five tips that can help you find relief and improve your quality of life:
1. Warm Up Your Joints
As the weather turns chilly, it’s essential to warm up your joints before engaging in physical activities.
Gentle, controlled movements help increase blood flow to the affected areas, reducing stiffness and discomfort.
Try incorporating warm-up exercises into your daily routine to keep your joints mobile.
As the weather turns chilly, it’s essential to warm up your joints before engaging in physical activities.
Gentle, controlled movements help increase blood flow to the affected areas, reducing stiffness and discomfort.
Try incorporating warm-up exercises into your daily routine to keep your joints mobile.
2. Stay Active Through The Cold Months
While it might be tempting to hibernate during the colder months, maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for arthritis management.
Low-impact activities like indoor swimming, Yoga, and walking can help keep your joints moving and reduce pain.
While it might be tempting to hibernate during the colder months, maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for arthritis management.
Low-impact activities like indoor swimming, Yoga, and walking can help keep your joints moving and reduce pain.
3. Dietary Changes
Certain foods can either exacerbate or ease arthritis symptoms. Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), leafy greens, and berries into your diet. These foods can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
Conversely, avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and saturated fats, as they can worsen inflammation.
We’re not saying don’t enjoy the foods you enjoy, but try to balance it out and recognize how it may be leading to more arthritis pain – especially during the winter months.
Certain foods can either exacerbate or ease arthritis symptoms. Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), leafy greens, and berries into your diet. These foods can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
Conversely, avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and saturated fats, as they can worsen inflammation.
We’re not saying don’t enjoy the foods you enjoy, but try to balance it out and recognize how it may be leading to more arthritis pain – especially during the winter months.
4. Keep It Cool (Pun Intended)
Simply put - stress can amplify arthritis pain. When we are stressed, we tend to increase the tension in our muscles which can amplify arthritic pain. Additionally, stress prompts the body to produce Cortisol (the stress hormone) which can trigger the immune system’s inflammatory response.
Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to keep your stress levels in check. These methods not only help relax your mind but also reduce muscle tension and pain.
According to the Arthritic Foundation: “Inflammation is what fuels joint damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Lupus, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Ankylosis Spondylitis (AS), and other inflammatory forms of the disease. The longer you’re exposed to stress, the more destructive the inflammation can become. In a PLoS One Study, people with RA [Rheumatoid Arthritis] identified stress as a trigger for disease flare-ups.
View the Arthritic Foundation’s Full Article “How Stress Affects Arthritis” by clicking here.
Simply put - stress can amplify arthritis pain. When we are stressed, we tend to increase the tension in our muscles which can amplify arthritic pain. Additionally, stress prompts the body to produce Cortisol (the stress hormone) which can trigger the immune system’s inflammatory response.
Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to keep your stress levels in check. These methods not only help relax your mind but also reduce muscle tension and pain.
According to the Arthritic Foundation: “Inflammation is what fuels joint damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Lupus, Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Ankylosis Spondylitis (AS), and other inflammatory forms of the disease. The longer you’re exposed to stress, the more destructive the inflammation can become. In a PLoS One Study, people with RA [Rheumatoid Arthritis] identified stress as a trigger for disease flare-ups.
View the Arthritic Foundation’s Full Article “How Stress Affects Arthritis” by clicking here.
5. Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is a powerful ally in the fight against arthritis pain, stiffness, and mobility issues. It’s a natural and safe approach that has been proven effective for countless patients. Here’s why physical therapy is your secret weapon:
Physical Therapy is a powerful ally in the fight against arthritis pain, stiffness, and mobility issues. It’s a natural and safe approach that has been proven effective for countless patients. Here’s why physical therapy is your secret weapon:
- Targeted Exercise: A skilled physical therapist can create a personalized exercise program tailored to your specific needs. These exercises focus on improving joint flexibility, muscle strength, and overall mobility.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques like joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage can provide immediate relief by reducing pain and increasing joint mobility.
- Education: A physical therapist can teach you about your condition, helping you understand how to manage it effectively. You’ll learn techniques to protect your joints, improve posture, and reduce the risk of flare-ups.
- Pain Management: Physical Therapy can help you develop strategies for pain management, such as heat and cold therapy, to ease discomfort.
- Long-Term Benefits: Unlike painkillers that provide temporary relief, physical therapy addresses the root causes of arthritis pain, offering long-lasting benefits.
Not Sure Whether Physical Therapy Is Right For You?
If you’ve had arthritis or struggled with injuries for a while, you’ve probably tried a lot of things that didn’t work and are a little nervous about getting your hopes up again with physical therapy.
To help you understand how physical therapy will help you, and get your questions answered, you can schedule a free pain consultation by clicking HERE or calling us on (215) 348-0666.
This is a completely free, 1-1 appointment with physical therapist and in a short time, can give you personalized advice to reduce your aches, pains and injuries.
Click Here To Arrange Your Free Consultation Now
Read our blog – 4 Easy Ways to Reduce Fall Risk at Home
Read our blog – How to Improve Posture for a Healthier Back
Read our blog – Everyday Activities That Could As Exercise
On social media? Then follow us on Facebook and Instagram
To help you understand how physical therapy will help you, and get your questions answered, you can schedule a free pain consultation by clicking HERE or calling us on (215) 348-0666.
This is a completely free, 1-1 appointment with physical therapist and in a short time, can give you personalized advice to reduce your aches, pains and injuries.
Click Here To Arrange Your Free Consultation Now
Read our blog – 4 Easy Ways to Reduce Fall Risk at Home
Read our blog – How to Improve Posture for a Healthier Back
Read our blog – Everyday Activities That Could As Exercise
On social media? Then follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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